Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first, & use as much or little as you’d like.
GET FOCUSED | Start by simply thanking God for who He is & what He’s done.
+ Practice gratitude while singing/playing some worship music from Paradox on Spotify.
+ Spend a few moments meditating on today’s Old Testament Scripture: Ezra 8:1-20
+ From your reading, finish the sentence “God, you are ___.”
Take time to thank & worship God for the ways you’ve seen Him be/do that in your life.
MORNING PRAYER FOCUS | Prayer involves both talking and listening to God.
+ Pray the Lord’s Prayer, or slow down to pray it using this Lord’s Prayer guide.
+ Use “Lectio Divina” to listen to God in this morning’s Psalm: Psalm 33:12-22
Reading 1 = Focus. What is one word or phrase that Holy Spirit puts on your heart?
Reading 2 = Feelings. Focus on that word or phrase while you read. What do you feel? What specific situation in your life today relates? Reflect and talk with God about it.
Reading 3 = Invitation. What is God’s personal invitation to you from the Scripture?
Take time to journal anything you feel the Lord might be saying to you.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth.
Today’s New Testament reading is from Romans 1:13-25
Highlight verses that capture your attention, and ask three simple questions as you read…
Observe. Pay attention to what the text says. Ask who, what, when, where, & why.
Interpret. What’s the main point or meaning? What does it teach about God? Yourself?
Apply. Apply this truth to your own life. What can you put into practice today?
A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
Verse 21 in Romans 1 is really resonating with me from my reading.
“For though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened.”
Wow, not much has changed since Paul wrote that 2000 years ago. We all know God but we don’t always honor or thank him as we should. Sports teams, possessions, and celebrities all fill that space in our life that should be set aside for God. I can remember cancelling a Sunday service once at a previous church I was involved with because the heat wasn’t working and it might be chilly in the sanctuary. But I have also had times where I couldn't wait to get to the Big House in the middle of a snow storm to watch a football game. We had seats far up in the end zone that we really couldn’t see the game from. What I am trying to say is, why aren’t we honoring God as we do our favorite celebrities in society? We pay big bucks for tickets to see someone who we probably can’t, doesn’t know us, and probably doesn’t want to know us. Our relationship with God costs us nothing but putting our faith totally in Him. God actually wants to be in a relationship with us. The tighter that relationship is, the happier God is. We just have to put ALL of our faith in who God is. The more we pour into the relationship, the more we get in return. Where do you stand with your relationship with God? What idols do you cherish that stand in the way of nurturing your relationship with God? GLYASDI - Scott Rose
EVENING PRAYER FOCUS | Re-Focus on Jesus by returning to prayer each evening.
Replay = Replay your day. What made you happy, joyful, anxious, or burdened?
Rejoice = Give thanks to God for the small and the significant things from the day.
Repent = Ask God for forgiveness where you need. Receive His forgiveness afresh.
Refocus = Ask to see God’s presence more clearly & walk w/ Him more closely tomorrow.
+ Practice hearing from God by asking questions like, “Father, what do you want me to know about you?” or “Father, what do you want to say about your love for me?” Simply be still and listen, or journal anything that comes to mind. Learn more about hearing from God using the Tending Your Heart guide.
SHARE THE FOCUS |
+ Pray a Ripple Prayer or use Nations Prayer to pray for the nations & those serving them.
+ Text someone an encouragement, or share a thought/question with us in the Forum.
+ Invite someone to read the Focus with you. Text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.
+ Who can you share what you’re learning with today personally?
That’s all for today.
Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!
